Penalty hero Mark Schwarzer has already set his sights on playing in Europe - for the third season in a row.

The Aussie keeper, who became Boro's most capped player during the Confederations Cup, insists the club must set their stall out to make sure they qualify again during the new campaign.

It was Schwarzer's stirring last gasp penalty save from Robbie Fowler at Manchester City last month which ensured Boro regained a UEFA Cup place.

Now he is adamant that qualifying for Europe's secondary club competition should be the bare minimum again.

He said: "We've qualified for Europe twice now - once through the Carling Cup and once through the league.

"We need to make it a minimum now that we qualify for the UEFA Cup through our league position.

"It all depends on the personnel we are able to bring in, but being in Europe helps you do that.

"This will be our second year in Europe in a row and people start to take notice that Middlesbrough are a good club and one that is consistent."

Boro were handily placed in fourth place in the Premiership at Christmas last term, but were badly hit by injuries and, in the end, just scraped into the UEFA Cup at the death.

Schwarzer said: "We set our goals high last season but after suffering five or six injuries, I still think it was an achievement to finish in the UEFA Cup again.

"It would have been a disaster had we not finished in seventh spot and qualified again.

"By the same token, we had a lot of injuries and a lot of kids had to step up and perform.

"They did very well, so to come down to the last game and have that opportunity in our own hands was a great achievement."

Schwarzer is delighted to see Boro make early progress in the summer transfer market with the arrival of Aiyegbeni Yakubu, but believes the departure of Bolo Zenden would deal a significant blow to Boro hopes of becoming an established European club.

Schwarzer said: "It would be very disappointing to lose Bolo because he's been a fantastic acquisition for us.

"Last season he was phenomenal and was our best player.

"We need to make it a minimum requirement now that we qualify for the UEFA Cup. But to do that you need to keep your best players."

However Schwarzer, who gained the 27th cap of his Boro career when playing against Germany in the Confederations Cup and then added another against Argentina, can empathise with Zenden's situation.

The Sydney-born stopper was also set to become a free agent and became linked with Bosman moves to both Arsenal and Manchester United.

Instead, he chose to remain on Teesside by signing a new three-year contract.

"It's a difficult position that Bolo is in," added the Boro No 1 keeper.

"I was in that position myself not so long ago and it's hard. Obviously Bolo has got to be happy, the club has to be happy.

"But hopefully they can come to an agreement because he's a very important player to us and to replace him is going to cost a lot of money."